Sunderland have been dealt a huge problem with one of their most important players facing a spell out injured.
Sunderland have struggled with a number of injuries to key players this season, with Patrick Roberts, Aji Alese, Niall Huggins and Dennis Cirkin all currently in the treatment room.
Despite some important absentees, the Black Cats remained hopeful of pushing for a spot in the play-offs following Michael Beale’s sacking earlier this week.
Mike Dodds will be the man to guide the club into the final 13 games of the campaign, though they will have to put in a lot of work as they head into the weekend seven points from sixth place.
Sunderland have relied heavily on Jack Clarke for goals this term and are likely to need him at his best if they are to have any chance at an unexpected promotion race over the next few months.
However, news that the winger is now injured may have handed a major blow to their hopes of finishing in the play-off positions.
Clarke picked up a foot injury during the defeat to Birmingham City last weekend, having to undergo treatment after scoring his team’s opener in the Midlands. The 23-year-old was able to play on for the full 90 minutes, but hasn’t trained with the first team since.
Sunderland Echo journalist James Copley wrote on X: “Understand rumours of Jack Clarke’s injury issue are indeed true. Huge blow for Sunderland.
“The 15-goal winger is a huge doubt for Swansea City on Saturday and is unlikely to play any part. Exact timeframe likely to be confirmed by Mike Dodds during tomorrow’s presser.”
Can Sunderland live without Jack Clarke?
There has only been five occasions this term where Jack Clarke didn’t play the full 90 minutes of a match, while he has only missed one game in the whole two years since he joined Sunderland.
The attacker has been an ever-present figure for the Black Cats and is comfortably the most important player on the pitch for us.
We have played some terrible football in recent months and have often not deserved to win a game or even be leading at any point, however Clarke has somehow still managed almost a goal every other game.
The 23-year-old has 15 goals all together – that is one third of our total goal tally for the entire campaign.
With matches against Norwich, Leicester and Southampton rapidly approaching, we could be in big trouble.
The rest of the attack are going to need to turn it up a notch, because creating chances and goals without Clarke has seemed near enough impossible this season.